DD/MM/YYYY Break Up, Form Absolutely Free

Nearly a decade into their craft, and in the midst of an East Coast tour that will have them performing at New Jersey's ATP fest and the Halifax Pop Explosion, celebrated Toronto art punks DD/MM/YYYY have called it quits.

While the band's current string of shows initially supported their Invada-released split with Beak> -- perhaps their finest, if most spastic work yet -- DD/MM/YYYY have promised to perform songs delving into their eight-year, three-LP back catalogue in their typical wound-tight, frantic fashion. Their final performance will be in Toronto on October 21 at 918 Bathurst with Michigan post-punk rabblerousers Child Bite.

UPDATE: The band's final show has now been moved to November 10.

As of yet, DD/MM/YYYY have remained tight-lipped about the reasons behind their breakup. Still, in a statement, they expressed gratitude towards the band's supporters, both within the music industry and otherwise:

On behalf of the members of DD/MM/YYYY, we would truly like to thank all of the people who have helped us in any and all capacities. The labels who have released our records, the agents who have booked us, all of the bands who have taken us on tour, publicists, people who have seen us live, written about us or shared word of our band, friends, new and old who have put us up, fed us and taken care of us. We look forward to seeing you all again as performers, friends and peers.

Fortunately, the wait shouldn't be long. Four of five DD/MM/YYYY members will be resurfacing in a new project titled Absolutely Free. While details about the band are scarce -- members are currently writing and recording songs -- the project's inaugural performance will occur on November 17 at M for Montreal (in Montreal, duh). Hopefully they'll have better luck at the festival than they've had in the past. Stay tuned for more Absolutely Free tour details.